Sandra Alonso will miss the elite women’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal after suffering a fractured humerus in a training crash on the eve of the race.
The Spanish rider had been due to start Saturday’s race wearing number 22 but confirmed on Friday night that she had collided with another cyclist while training in Canada.
Alonso said she was overtaking the rider when they unexpectedly turned around without looking behind them, leaving her unable to avoid the collision.
“This morning while training, the day before the most important race of the year, a cyclist I was overtaking decided to turn around without looking back,” Alonso said. “I hit them and I don’t remember much more.”
She suffered a fissure of the humerus along with several abrasions and will now return home to rest and recover.
Spain reduced to five riders in Montréal
Alonso’s withdrawal leaves Spain with five riders for the women’s road race: Paula Blasi, Mavi García, Usoa Ostolaza, Sara Martín and Mireia Benito.
It is a late setback for a Spanish team with several strong options for the repeated climbing around Mount Royal. Blasi arrives after an outstanding 2026 season, while García took bronze in the elite road race at last year’s World Championships in Kigali.
Ostolaza provides another strong climbing option, with Martín and Benito giving Spain further opportunities to race aggressively.
Our women’s World Championships road race preview looks at the main contenders and the tactical possibilities on the Montréal circuit.
Despite her own disappointment, Alonso quickly turned her attention towards supporting the remaining Spanish riders.
“One of the best national teams Spain has had in recent years will start,” she said. “So show what you’re worth and enjoy the suffering.”
Crash ends Alonso’s comeback season
The accident brings an unfortunate end to a successful comeback season for Alonso, who returned to racing in 2026 after becoming a mother.
She resumed competition with Eneicat-BeCall and quickly returned to a competitive level, earning selection for the Spanish World Championships squad and securing a move back up the professional ladder for next season.
Alonso will join LABORAL Kutxa-Euskadi for 2027 after a season in which she rebuilt her career following a year away from competition.
Instead of ending 2026 at the World Championships, her attention now turns immediately to recovery.
“For my part: a fissure of the humerus, several abrasions and some Canadian asphalt make-up,” Alonso said. “Time to go home, rest and recover.”
